What happened
Abdul Samad posted 748 runs at 57.53 in J&K's title-winning Ranji Trophy campaign, was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants for 4.2 crore, and is chasing an all-format India call.
Why it matters
Lucknow now has a proven carrying batsman, and Indian selectors have a 146.91-strike-rate name to consider across formats.
Remember this
The 24-year-old has earned a chance to be an India batter, not just an IPL one.
More context & who is affected
Abdul Samad scored 748 runs at 57.53 in J&K's title-winning Ranji Trophy campaign, adding a Hyderabad century, and walked into the Bengal semi-final at 13/3 before rescuing his side.
The 24-year-old from Kalakote in Rajouri district, formerly of Sunrisers Hyderabad, was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants for 4.2 crore in the 2025 auction.
His T20 strike rate sits at 146.91 across 71 IPL outings. Samad now wants the India call-up in all three formats, and the Irani Cup at Sher-e-Kashmir is next.
- Ranji Trophy runs
- 748 at 57.53 Runs in J&K's title-winning Ranji campaign, with a Hyderabad century and a 13/3 rescue against BengalIndian Express
- IPL 2025 move
- INR 4.2 Cr Lucknow Super Giants picked him in the 2025 IPL auction after four seasons at Sunrisers HyderabadIndian ExpressThe Print
- T20 strike rate
- 146.91 Strike rate across 71 IPL appearances over seven seasonsIndian Express
Crisis-closer to all-format watchout
Samad walked in at 13/3 against Bengal in the semi-final and steered his team home. Four seasons at Sunrisers Hyderabad moved to Lucknow, and a 146.91 strike rate plus 748 Ranji Trophy runs back up his stated ambition to play India in all three formats.
Cricket Fans · Ipl Watchers
A 146.91 strike rate across 71 IPL outings makes Samad a genuine all-format watchout.
Cricket Fans · Jk Readers
J&K's IPL franchise now has a proven carrying batsman in the 24-year-old from Rajouri.
Cricket Fans
Middle-order collapse specialist: walked in at 13/3 against Bengal and still delivered.
Reporting fromIndian Express ↗The Print ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- Indian ExpressReporting
Abdul Samad: J&K's crisis man ready to weather storms anew ↗
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Accessed Oct 3, 2026 - The PrintReportingPublished Oct 1, 2026 · Accessed Oct 3, 2026
Claims and linked sources
Abdul Samad scored 748 runs at 57.53 in J&K's title-winning Ranji Trophy campaign, including a century versus Hyderabad and a 13/3 rescue against Bengal.
Samad, aged 24, joined Lucknow Super Giants for 4.2 crore in the 2025 IPL auction after four seasons at Sunrisers Hyderabad.
His T20 strike rate stands at 146.91 across 71 IPL appearances in seven seasons.
Samad openly wants the India call-up in all three formats; the Irani Cup at Sher-e-Kashmir is his next big test.
